Discussion

The New Yorker, August 16, 2018, By Masha Gessen

"The Democrats of Vermont have chosen Christine Hallquist as their candidate for governor, marking the first time that a major party has nominated a transgender person for a governorship. ...

The emergence of trans politicians reflects the vastly increased visibility of trans people in America—and likely also the increased numbers of trans people, although this is much harder to calculate. It’s too soon to say what Hallquist’s primary victory and other trans electoral successes tell us about the current moment. But does the presence of trans people in politics change the political space itself? ...

Hallquist herself has repeatedly said, 'I just happen to be transgender." She has stressed that the voters of Vermont know her primarily as a climate-change activist who ran an electrical company in the state until resigning to enter politics earlier this year. The approach, and the story, reflect the sixty-two-year-old nominee’s background: before she came out as a woman, Hallquist lived as a fairly conventional, and conventionally successful, white man. Hallquist became the C.E.O. of the utility Vermont Electric Cooperative, and was married to a woman for more than thirty-five years, raising two daughters and a son with her; their son, Derek Hallquist, made a documentary about Hallquist that takes place during the time period when she came out. Released in 2016, the film, “Denial,” is a peculiarly intimate portrait, particularly of a person who has since become a politician. ..."

NBC News, August 14, 2018, by Tim Fitzsimons

Former energy company executive Christine Hallquist made history Tuesday by becoming the first trans person to win a major party’s nomination for governor.

"A former energy company executive from Vermont has come a step closer to becoming the nation's first transgender governor.

Christine Hallquist swept to victory in Tuesday’s crowded gubernatorial primary, besting three other Democrats — including a 14-year-old boy — to become the party’s nominee. She is the first trans person to win a major party’s nomination for governor.

"Tonight we made history, and I'm so honored to be ... part of this historical moment," Hallquist said to a room full of clapping fans at her election-night party in Burlington. "I'm so proud to be the face of the Democrats tonight."

Hallquist will face Republican incumbent Phil Scott in November. Scott’s popularity has waned in recent months, but he managed to beat his Republican primary challenger by a healthy margin on Tuesday.

The most specific parts of Hallquist’s platform follow a now-familiar progressive model: a $15 minimum wage, Medicare for all and free higher education. She is also campaigning on an aggressive expansion of renewable electricity and high-speed broadband access across the state.

Hallquist said the anti-transgender policies of the Trump administration, including the attempt to ban trans people from serving in the military and the reversal of Obama-era protections for trans people in gender-segregated facilities, were factors in her decision to run for office. ..."

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